Dr. Lee Fithian, Associate Professor of Architecture and Director of the OU Online MS in Sustainable Architecture at the University of Oklahoma’s Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture, recently contributed to the new book Teaching Carbon Neutral Design in North America: Twenty Award-Winning Architectural Design Studio Methodologies, edited by Robin Puttock and published by Routledge. Fithian’s chapter, titled “Introduction to Conceptual Design Performance Analysis for Carbon Neutrality,” explores strategies for integrating carbon-neutral principles into the early stages of architectural design.
Fithian’s research and teaching efforts focus on the application of biological and ecological models to architectural design. Each of her studios carries a strong focus on the technical development and integration of analytical visualizations to develop “green” architecture.
With over 17 years of commercial and governmental practice experience, Fithian previously served as the Director of Sustainable Design at Benham Companies. She has also played a pivotal role in founding the Oklahoma Sustainability Network and the State Chapter of US Green Building Council. Currently, she serves on the National AIA Building Performance Advisory Committee, further advancing her commitment to sustainable design.
With this achievement, Fithian joins a distinguished group of educators and practitioners who are shaping the future of architectural education and practice. Her chapter serves as a valuable resource for both students and professionals striving to create a built environment that is both innovative and ecologically responsible.
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
